Bird & Bird

• International
• City

• Corporate
• Commercial
• Property
• Dispute Resolution
• Banking & Finance
• Employment & Pensions
• Energy
• Infastructure
• Competition & EU
• Insolvency
• IP
• Media
• Tax
• Finance (Banking/Aviation)

• International

• London

• United States
• Europe
• Middle East
• Asia
• Australia
• China

Training Contract

Becoming a trainee at Bird & Bird is the first step to fulfilling your potential and shaping your long-term career. You’ll have responsibility from day one, working for stimulating clients across a range of sectors, in a number of practice areas. However, your relationship with us starts from the moment we make you an offer. We maintain a close relationship with you before starting, so the transition into your formal career is as smooth as possible.

You’ll experience four seats in different practice areas for 6-months each during your Training Contract, giving you a rich learning experience and development opportunities. You may also have the opportunity to experience an international or client secondment to enrich your learning.

Alongside your seat rotations, you’ll take part in a Learning & Development Programme which will provide the basic building blocks for your future development within the business of law. You can also get involved in Corporate Responsibility initiatives; help with Early Career Programmes; join our firm-wide sports teams; and become a member of our networks and socials.

There are 18 positions available each year.

Applying to Bird & Bird

Applications to our 2024 Direct Training Contract will open Friday 1 April 2022 and close Tuesday 31 May 2022. Please note, we recruit the majority of our future trainees from our Vacation Schemes and would, therefore, urge you to apply for that route. Whilst we do still offer a Direct Training Contract route, we will prioritise applications from career changers and those who are prevented from attending a Vacation Scheme for any other reason.

You’re eligible to apply if you can commence a Training Contract in 2024. This means you’ll be in your penultimate-year of a law degree, final-year of a non-law degree, or already graduated by Autumn 2022. If you’ve previously completed a Vacation Scheme with us, you must wait one recruitment year before re-applying.

For our Vacation Schemes and Training Contracts, the application process typically includes an online application form on Apply4Law, a psychometric test, a video interview, and an assessment centre. Once you have applied, you’ll receive a confirmation of your received application form. You’ll be notified if your application has been unsuccessful or receive an email regarding the next stage of the application at each stage.

• London

• Application Form
• Online Interview
• Psychometric Testing
• Assessment Centre (Interview and Written Exercise)

• No (not a requirement of TC application)

Vacation Schemes

Our Vacation Schemes are an opportunity to discover your potential and kick-start your career in law, by strengthening your knowledge, law-specific skills and experience of the legal sector. You’ll have an unfiltered look at the way people work in an international law firm and the impact of client relationships, globally. You can network and socialise with colleagues, immersing yourself in our friendly, vibrant culture. At the end of the scheme, the top performers will be recruited for a Training Contract.

There are 30 positions available across two schemes: Spring and Summer.

Applying to Bird & Bird

Applications to our 2023 Vacation Schemes will open in Autumn 2022. You’re eligible to apply if you can commence a Training Contract in 2025. This means you will be in your penultimate-year of a law degree, final-year of a non-law degree, or already graduated by Autumn 2023. If you’ve previously completed a Vacation Scheme with us, you must wait one recruitment year before re-applying.

For our Vacation Schemes and Training Contracts, the application process typically includes an online application form on Apply4Law, a psychometric test, a video interview, and an assessment centre. Once you have applied, you’ll receive a confirmation of your received application form. You will be notified if your application has been unsuccessful or receive an email regarding the next stage of the application at each stage.

• London

• Application Form
• Online Interview
• Psychometric Testing
• Assessment Centre (Interview and Written Exercise)

Open Days

Our Open Days offer a unique insight into life at a city law firm, and the work we do. You’ll experience different sessions, network with lawyers, and have the opportunity to ask questions to the Early Careers Team. Our STEM Open Day and All Degrees Open Day will be in Autumn 2022.

We also host/attend a number of law fairs and events. Check out our website and social media (@twobirdsgrads) for updates throughout the year.

• London

• Application Form

Bursary Scheme

The Bursary Scheme is open to all Year 13 students who meet our criteria. Our Scheme offers a mentoring scheme with our trainees for support and career guidance during your University studies in law; two-weeks work experience in your first-year; workshops and sessions from our Early Careers and Diversity and Inclusion Teams; and Financial Assistance paid in instalments over your time at University. Applications to our Scheme will open Friday 1 April 2022 and close Tuesday 31 May 2022.

Our criteria:

• you must be attending a state (non-fee paying) school, sixth form college in the UK; and
• you must be the first generation in your immediate family to attend university; and
• you must be applying to study law or a law-related degree at a UK university (part-time distant learning courses will be considered if circumstances warrant); and
• you should be academically gifted and typically expected to have achieved at least 5 A grades or 5 Level 7 and above in GCSE, including English and Maths.

• At a Non Fee Paying School
• Eligible for Free School Meals
• In year 12 to year 13 (England and Wales)
• In S5 to S6 (Scotland)
• In Lower/Upper Sixth (Northern Ireland)

• London
• Manchester
• Birmingham
• Bristol
• Leeds
• Liverpool
• Nottingham
• Southampton

• Application Form
• CV & Cover Letter
• School Reference
• Interview with the Early Careers Team

Flying Start Programme

Our Flying Start Programme is a two-day experience for those in the early stages of their career, consisting of practical skills sessions, interactive group tasks, insightful talks and presentations, networking events, and Q&A discussions. It is an opportunity for you to explore your interest in the legal industry. You will develop lawyer-specific skills and commercial awareness, network with our lawyers, and add valuable experience to your resume.

Applications to our 2023 Flying Start Programme will open in Autumn 2022. This workshop is for those who cannot yet apply to our Vacation Schemes or Direct Training Contract. You are eligible if you are a first-year law undergraduate, or first- or penultimate-year non-law undergraduate student.

Online Experience Programme

Our Online Experience Programme, in partnership with Forage, is an opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the world of an international law firm and discover what life is like as a trainee solicitor. You’ll complete three modules that will:

• encourage you to apply law theory to work situations at Bird & Bird;
• develop your commercial awareness, skills and knowledge;
• and practice reviewing, drafting and analysing legal documents for clients.

If you want to research more into the firm or practice completing some work, the programme is a great place to start. No previous experience of law is required. Complete the free, self-paced programme here.

Campus Ambassador Programme

Applications to our Campus Ambassadors Programme, in partnership with The Lawyer Portal, are open now. You will be the promoters of The Lawyer Portal and Bird & Bird, benefiting from access to exclusive events with Bird & Bird and networking opportunities with our lawyers, Early Careers Team, and fellow students across the country. It is a voluntary work experience opportunity for you to develop your organisation, marketing, communication and leadership skills, and receive regular feedback on your progress throughout the year.